You can help minimize tree-related outages and ensure reliable electric service for the future by choosing the right species of trees. Consider the trees’ mature height and crown spread, especially when planting adjacent to overhead power lines. Avoid planting directly underneath power lines. Make sure any tree planted within 20 feet of neighborhood power lines is a variety that will grow to a mature height of 15 feet or less. Small trees such as flowering Techny arborvitae, dogwood or nannyberry are ideal for these locations.

Plant taller trees farther away to ensure they can’t grow into power lines. At distances of 20 to 50 feet, plant trees that grow to a height of 40 feet or less.

If you want to plant a tree that grows tall, such as a maple, oak, pine or spruce, make sure it’s at least 50 feet from the nearest residential overhead lines.

When you select trees, consider how you plan to use the site, as well as area safety needs.

The minimum distance required when planting near pad-mounted transformers is 3 feet of space on sides and back of transformer and 10 feet of space in front of the transformer (padlock side).

Remember the transformer must be accessible for service at all times.

Select plants that are easily maintained and suitable for the site.

Allow plants sufficient growing room.

Do not allow plantings to grow over the transformer.

Do not change grade levels around pad-mounted transformers.

Planting for energy conservation

By planning a well-landscaped yard, you can have a real impact on your home heating and cooling costs.

Deciduous trees planted to the west and east of your home will help keep it cool in the summer and allow solar benefits in the winter. Trees function as natural air conditioners. As water is drawn from the ground to the leaves, water vapor is released, cooling the surrounding air. Evergreen trees along the north side can reduce the cooling effects of winter winds.

Download the “Save Energy with Trees” guide provided by the Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center for more information.

Whether you’re looking for more summer shade, an effective windbreak or just to enhance the beauty of your property, start by selecting the right tree for your location. Consult with your local nursery, or local Soil Water Conservation District (SWCD) office or your county agricultural extension agent. If your planting area has power lines near by or if you have any questions, call the toll-free number below to reach our Forestry Services Staff, or feel free to contact us via email with your concerns or inquiries.

To locate underground utilities contact:
Gopher State One Call: (Minnesota) 1-800-252-1166 or 811 two business days ahead. www.gopherstateonecall.org
Digger’s Hotline: (Wisconsin) 1-800-242-8511 or 811 three business days ahead. www.diggershotline.com

Poultry farmers can process and sell up to 1000 birds per year without a license. The processing must be done on the farm and under sanitary conditions. The birds must be sold directly to customers from the farm premises. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture requires that operators desiring to sell under this exemption be registered. There is no fee and no inspection will be conducted unless a complaint is received.

Poultry farmers can process and sell up to 20,000 birds per year without a license, if they have an inspected and approved on-farm slaughter facility. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture requires that operators desiring to sell under this exemption be registered. There is no fee. An inspection will be conducted.

In some areas, inspected slaughter is not available either from USDA or state equivalent plants. Another option that farmers can use is sale of live animals followed by custom-exempt processing. There are a number of restrictions and requirements with this method, but many farmers use it successfully.

With custom-exempt processing, the farmer must sell live animals. Farmers can sell an animal to more than one customer, but an animal must not be slaughtered and processed until the entire animal is sold. Verifying the sale of whole, live animals becomes complicated if an animal is divided among many customers. The MDA Dairy and Food Inspection Division recommends the following guidelines for sale of animals for custom processing:

Sell quarters, halves or wholes of beef and bison animals and of large Cervidae animals such as elk.

The MDA Dairy and Food Inspection Division recommends that farmers have a system to track animals and verify sale of live animals. Animals should be ear-tagged or otherwise identified so that customers can make their choice. With custom-exempt processing a customer’s choice of an animal substitutes for official inspection at the time of slaughter, so farmers must offer customers the opportunity to select their own animals. Customers should be given a form to sign stating that they selected a particular animal, or that they declined to select and instead authorized the farmer to select an animal for them. View Sample Form.

Farmers should sell live animals by live weight. Farmers who do not have livestock scales available can take a payment from customers before slaughter, and then base the final price on hanging weight of the carcass.

Farmers can arrange slaughter and processing for their customers. However, customers pay the farmer for the animal and pay the processor separately for the processing. Farmers should not handle customer payments to custom-exempt processors.

Customers should pick up their own processed meat. Farmers can do occasional delivery to customers who are unable to pick up their own.